Setting Up the Resting Position

Once you have a deformation chain created, you can optimize its positioning to fit the element it will deform.

A deformation rig has a resting position and an animated position. The resting position is the original pose the character is in when not animated with keyframes. You can always revert your animated character to its resting position to recover the initial scale, angle, and shape. You can revert the entire character or only certain deformation chains, such as the arm or leg. Just make sure your resting position is fully set before deploying the character in production.

You can also set additional parameters in the Layer Properties window—see Deformation Nodes.

To understand better the various parameters available in the nodes' layer properties, you should know more about the following terms:

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Radius: The radius determines the size of a zone. The radius value is the length from the central point of the zone to its edge. By increasing the radius value, you increase the size of the area.

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Transversal: The transversal parameter is related to the width of the zone in relation to the bone. The transversal value cuts across the bone.

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Longitudinal: The longitudinal parameter is related to the length of the zone in relation to the bone. The longitudinal value is parallel to the bone's length.

In the Node or Timeline view, select the deformation group or nodes containing the deformation chain you want to set.

In the Deformation toolbar, click the Show Selected Deformers and Hide All Others button to display the deformer controls in the Camera view. This also hides all the deformer controls that were displayed.

In the Deformation toolbar, click the Rigging tool.

The chain turns from green to red. A green chain indicates the puppet is in animation mode. A red chain indicates the puppet is in a resting position. Make sure your chain is red.

In the Camera view, set up the deformation chain.

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Rotate the first bone to change the angle of the chain.

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Use the root control to reposition (offset) the entire chain.

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Use the control points to reposition the articulations. This will elongate, shorten or change the direction of the bone and offset the subsequent children.

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Use the articulation's control (square) to change the size of the articulation. For quality purposes, it is recommended to have an articulation which fits the diameter of the part it controls.

Repeat until all the articulations and bones of the chain are correctly aligned to the element to which it is linked. You can also set additional parameters in the Layer Properties window—see Deformation Nodes.

With the deformation nodes or group still selected, in the Deformation toolbar, click the Reset Current Keyframe button. This will set the current resting position as the current frame one.

Use the Transform tool. For optimal results, make sure the size of the articulation is approximately the same size as the drawing.

If you need to insert a bone between existing ones, hold down the Alt key. When the Insert Bone cursor is displayed, click on the existing bone segment at the location where you want to add an additional bone.

In the Node or Timeline view, select the deformation group or nodes containing the deformation chain you want to set.

In the Deformation toolbar, click the Show Selected Deformers and Hide All Others button to display the deformer controls in the Camera view. This also hides all the deformer controls that were displayed.

In the Deformation toolbar, click the Rigging tool.

The chain turns from green to red. A green chain indicates the puppet is in animation mode. A red chain indicates the puppet is in a resting position. Make sure your chain is red.

In the Camera view, setup the deformation chain.

Use the Pivot rotation handle to change the angle of the chain.

Use the Pivot centre control point to reposition the entire chain.

Use the curve handles to modify the shape of the curve.

Use the curve’s square control points to resize and reposition each segment of the curve chain.

Repeat until all the curves of the chain are correctly aligned to the element to which it is linked. You can also set additional parameters in the Layer Properties window—see Deformation Nodes.

With the deformation nodes or group still selected, in the Deformation toolbar, click the Reset Current Keyframe button. This will set the current resting position as the current frame one.

In the Node or Timeline view, select the deformation group or nodes containing the deformation chain you want to set.

In the Deformation toolbar, click the Show Selected Deformers and Hide All Others button to display the deformer controls in the Camera view. This also hides all the deformer controls that were displayed.

In the Deformation toolbar, click the Rigging tool.

The chain turns from green to red. A green chain indicates the puppet is in animation mode. A red chain indicates the puppet is in a resting position. Make sure your chain is red.

In the Camera view, set up the deformation chain.

Use the envelope’s square control points to resize and reposition each segment of the envelope chain.

Use the curve handles to modify the shape of the envelope.

Repeat until all the curves of the chain are correctly aligned to the element to which it is linked. You can also set additional parameters in the Layer Properties window—see Deformation Nodes.

With the deformation nodes or group still selected, in the Deformation toolbar, click the Reset Current Keyframe button. This will set the current resting position as the current frame one.